Robert and Victoria had shared seven years together since their school days. No children had come along; it just hadn’t happened for them. Robert’s beloved nana insisted:
“Get properly married, dears! Only then will God’s grace descend. The Lord will grant you heirs.”
Nana was Robert’s undisputed authority. So, not long after, he officially proposed to his common-law wife.
They hosted a lavish wedding, exchanged rings, and had their passports stamped. Though during the toast, a hiccup occurred. Tradition demanded the newlyweds drain their champagne flutes (for a tearless life) and then smash them on the ground. Robert’s glass shattered completely, but Victoria’s merely rolled away, unbroken.
Guests murmured loudly enough for all to hear:
“Oh dear, ill-omened! Bad luck for the marriage.”
Robert and Victoria just scoffed. “What rot!” And the party resumed.
Once the wedding noise faded, the young couple settled into life. But… Victoria, acquiring the status of legal wife, soon changed, becoming domineering. Nothing suited her. She nagged over trivialities, then finally declared:
“We made a mistake marrying, Robert. We’re like chalk and cheese. It’s better we part.”
…Robert blamed his mother-in-law entirely. To him, she was the embodiment of the fisherman’s wife from the fable – never satisfied. Not with attention, money, or space in her own two-bedroom flat. Since her son-in-law lived in her “hard-earned” property, she ceaselessly hectored him about making a million instead of scraping by on pennies. Robert silently endured wife and mother-in-law for a year. Then he heard:
“Go.”
He asked Victoria: “Is this truly YOUR decision… yours and your mum’s?”
“Yes! My mother’s got nothing to do with it!” Victoria snapped.
Robert packed slowly, sneaking hopeful glances at his wife. *Maybe she’ll relent.*
But Victoria didn’t bat an eyelid.
“Goodbye, wife. Sorry if wrong,” Robert sighed.
“Goodbye!” Victoria slammed the door behind him.
Robert left the family home. Yet, he didn’t grieve for long.
The young man soon found himself embraced by a different woman. He was quite the catch: tall, athletic, masculine.
Lucy had long harboured feelings for Robert. They worked together. Noticing him looking utterly despondent lately, missing his usual humour, Lucy suggested meeting outside work. Robert agreed. Out of boredom…
Lucy was free-spirited and attractive, with an unblemished reputation.
Strolling through the park one evening, sipping coffee in a cosy cafe, Robert poured out his life story. Lucy offered sympathy, gasps, and comfort. Then suddenly:
“Robert, haven’t you noticed how I look at you? How I hang on your every glance? I’ve loved you for ages! Are you blind?”
Robert had sensed Lucy’s feelings. They saw each other daily at work. When he approached, she’d blush or go pale, lose her voice, feel dizzy. He’d noticed her like a lovely, fragrant bloom, but nothing more. Lucy was Victoria’s polar opposite – calm, gentle, compliant. Robert liked this. But then, he was married! He kept his distance. Now, kicked out, he thought, *Why not? The fish is jumping into the net… Why refuse a sweet morsel?*
…The next morning, Robert and Lucy arrived together. Colleagues exchanged knowing looks. *Lucy’s landed her prey.* Everyone knew she’d dreamed of Robert, though she’d never have crossed the wife barrier.
Robert moved in with Lucy.
Lucy fluttered around him like a beautiful butterfly, anticipating his every wish, indulging him tirelessly. She believed earth held no greater joy! Robert gladly accepted her care. Privately, he called her “Firefly” – her bright light warmed his soul.
…Lucy introduced Robert to her parents. Her father was a high-ranking Westminster official. Seeing his daughter head-over-heels, he decreed:
“In that case, live together. We’ll arrange the wedding later. I’ll see first what fruit you bear, son-in-law.”
Father, of course, didn’t know Robert was married. Lucy dared not tell him, knowing his temper…
The young pair revelled in life! They made plans, even flying to Cyprus – financed by Lucy’s father. “Nothing’s too good for my girl! Let them enjoy themselves.”
…Three months later, Victoria summoned her lawful husband back to the family bosom. She claimed she was expecting a child needing a father. Robert (heartsore) returned to his wife. Lucy let her beloved go back to his family, adding:
“Robert, I’ll wait. Always…”
…Six months on, Victoria and Robert became parents to a daughter, Emily. A week later, Lucy rang. She asked Robert to meet her… from the hospital. Lucy had borne a daughter, Olivia.
Robert raced to the hospital with flowers and questions.
Lucy’s father met him, holding a huge basket of crimson roses.
Robert kissed Lucy and offered his bouquet. Lucy saw confusion and fear in his eyes.
“This is our daughter, Robert. Congratulations!” Lucy smiled, exhausted.
Robert stood dumbfounded, desperately calculating dates… Lucy cut him off:
“Don’t fret, Robert. Olivia and I won’t stand in your way.”
Lucy’s father ignored Robert’s greeting, a statue of reproach.
Robert began living between two families. Soon, everyone knew. Victoria knew of Lucy and Olivia. Lucy knew of Emily. Both women suffered silently. Victoria blamed herself for ejecting her husband, leaving him unsupervised. Now she faced the consequences, forced to tolerate his illegitimate child.
Lucy blamed herself not one bit. She had a child by the man she loved! What more? Sad he visited rarely, but thanked God he remembered them! It was hard for Robert too.
He loved both daughters deeply. They grew fast, asking awkward questions: “Daddy, why didn’t you sleep here last night?”, “Daddy, why don’t you smell like Mummy?”, “Daddy, I’m Olivia, not Emily!” or vice versa…
One day, visiting Lucy and Olivia, Robert encountered her stern father.
“Lucy, take Olivia out for a walk. I need a word with Robert,” Father demanded firmly.
Lucy took Olivia’s hand and obediently shut the door behind them.
“Well, son-in-law? You plan running back and forth until retirement? An uncommitted man is useless to me! Stay with Lucy – I’ll secure your future. Want to leave? Go forever! We’ll raise Olivia without you. She’s our blood. We’ll never ask your help. But the door will be barred. You’re expendable. I’d have thrown you out long ago, but Lucy loves you and I love Lucy. Solve this. Don’t delay,” Father finished.
That same day, Robert sought advice from his nana.
“Grandson! Listen. Choose one woman. Just look at you! Worn thin, gone grey! Under forty! Unsightly! Don’t fret about the other! Women are cleverer than men. Any lass will find a husband, any child a father. Keeping hope for both… that’s your folly,” the wise nana counselled.
“Nana! I love
Robert endured two years alone until Lucy returned unexpectedly, they wed, embraced family life with Olivia and their newborn Matilda, finally understanding that true love requires undivided commitment to flourish.
Two Wings of Freedom
